Folk music icon Joni Mitchell became a U.S. citizen on Tuesday, concluding a decades-long residency that began in the mid-1960s. The 82-year-old artist shared footage of her naturalization ceremony on social media, alongside a photo of herself holding an American flag, with the caption: ‘A journey that began 62 years ago.’
Mitchell, born Roberta Joan Anderson in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada, on November 7, 1943, first arrived in the United States in 1965 as a relative unknown. She later settled in Los Angeles’ Laurel Canyon area, where she became a central figure in the 1960s folk music scene. Her citizenship ceremony took place in Los Angeles, where she has resided for decades.
Key Details of the Ceremony
Mitchell’s naturalization ceremony was documented in a four-second video clip posted on social media, showing her standing before a large U.S. flag. The clip includes audio of the ceremony administrator calling out her name, followed by applause. She wore a red beret, sunglasses, and a cardigan adorned with additional American flag pins. The ceremony granted her the right to vote in U.S. elections, a privilege she had previously expressed wanting.
Career and Personal Background
Mitchell rose to fame with hits including ‘Big Yellow Taxi,’ ‘River,’ ‘Both Sides, Now,’ and ‘California.’ She purchased a Spanish Colonial Bel-Air home in 1974, which she still owns, and later acquired a Malibu beachfront property currently listed for $25–$27 million. Her work has earned her 11 Grammy Awards, with her most recent honor awarded in February 2024 for a historical album alongside Patrick Milligan.
Mitchell was married to American folk singer Chuck Mitchell in 1965, moving with him to Detroit before settling in New York City in 1967. She later lived in Southern California, where she became a prominent voice in the Laurel Canyon music community.
Political Engagement and Public Statements
While Mitchell had not been a U.S. citizen until now, she has publicly commented on American politics in the past. In 1969, she released ‘The Fiddle and the Drum,’ a protest song against the Vietnam War. In the 1980s, she criticized tax exemptions for religious institutions in the song ‘Tax Free.’ More recently, during a 2024 performance at the Hollywood Bowl with singer Brandi Carlile, Mitchell told the audience, ‘F--- Donald Trump. I love that song.’
At the 2024 Juno Awards in Canada, she remarked, ‘I’m living in the States and you know what’s happening there,’ before praising Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as ‘a blessing.’
Legal and Residency Timeline
- 1943: Born in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada.
- Mid-1960s: Moved to the U.S. with then-husband Chuck Mitchell.
- 1967: Settled in New York City after divorcing.
- Late 1960s: Moved to Los Angeles’ Laurel Canyon, becoming a key figure in the folk music scene.
- 1974: Purchased a home in Bel-Air, which she still owns.
- 2024: Completed naturalization process, gaining U.S. citizenship.